Definition of "bless" []

• To make holy by religious rite; sanctify. (verb-transitive)
• To make the sign of the cross over so as to sanctify. (verb-transitive)
• To invoke divine favor upon. (verb-transitive)
• To honor as holy; glorify: Bless the Lord. (verb-transitive)
• To confer well-being or prosperity on. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Inherent in the word bless is the desire for the salvation of that person."
• "I don’t use the word bless or curse very often, so I was unclear on what it meant to bless or curse someone."
• "The word bless, spoken of God, means to regard with favour, or to confer benefits, as when God is said to bless his people."